By James Murimi - Reporter
2 June 2026 - President William Ruto on Monday declared the beginning of the end of Northern Kenya's decades-long isolation, unveiling a Sh100 billion road project that he said will connect historically marginalized communities to the rest of the country and unlock new economic opportunities.
Speaking during the national Madaraka Day celebrations at Wajir Stadium, the President said the Government is deliberately investing in infrastructure to erase barriers that have for generations locked millions of Kenyans out of development because of their geographical location.
"For decades, distance was used to justify exclusion. Today, we are defeating distance," Ruto said.
At the heart of the Government's plan is the 750-kilometre Northern Kenya Gateway Corridor linking Isiolo, Wajir and Mandera, a project the President described as the most significant infrastructure investment in the region since Independence.
The highway, estimated to cost nearly Sh100 billion, is expected to connect communities that have long remained on the periphery of Kenya's economic growth, bringing them closer to markets, investments, government services and employment opportunities.
Ruto said connectivity remains central to the transformation of Northern Kenya, arguing that roads are not merely transport links but powerful tools for social and economic inclusion.
"Alongside housing and other long-term investments, we are investing in the infrastructure that connects communities to opportunities. That is why connectivity remains central to Northern Kenya's transformation," he said.
For years, vast stretches of Northern Kenya have suffered from inadequate infrastructure, making access to healthcare, education, trade and government services difficult and expensive. The President said the new corridor is intended to reverse that legacy and integrate the region more fully into the national economy.
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He described the project as a historic undertaking that will bridge the gap between communities that were once cut off from development and the opportunities needed to improve livelihoods.
"With the 750-kilometre Northern Kenya Gateway Corridor linking Isiolo, Wajir and Mandera, we are undertaking the most significant and consequential road investment in this region since Independence and connecting communities that were once isolated from markets, investments, development, essential services and economic opportunities," he said.
The President said the road symbolises a new chapter for Northern Kenya, where investment rather than neglect will define the region's future.
"This is more than a road project. It is a bridge between exclusion and opportunity, between neglect and investment, between the Kenya that was and the Kenya that we are building together," he said.
The announcement marked one of the most significant commitments made during this year's Madaraka Day celebrations, with the Government portraying the mega project as a transformative step towards ending historical marginalisation and ensuring that no part of the country remains too distant to share in Kenya's development.